Mar. 11, 2014

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A convicted child pornographer who cut his tether and fled the state in his dad’s car is going to prison for 17˝ years after getting caught trying to sneak into Mexico with camping gear, loaded guns and survival equipment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Michael Mazel, 38, of Highland Township was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh in Detroit after U.S. marshals tracked him down in Casa Grande, Ariz., in January.

According to court documents, Mazel had skipped town Jan. 19, three days before he was to be sentenced for downloading more than 400 online images and videos of children being forced to engage in sex acts with adults. He also was convicted of asking preteen girls for sexual favors via e-mail.

Mazel, who had pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in September, had his bond continued after his plea and was trusted to show for his Jan. 22 sentencing. But a day before his sentencing, authorities were alerted that his tether had been disconnected, triggering an arrest warrant. That same day, a pretrial services officer also spoke with Mazel’s father, who stated that his son had taken his car Jan. 19 and hadn’t been heard of since.

When the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Team captured Mazel he had survival gear, camping equipment, two loaded guns, and a laptop computer and hard drives that contained child pornography. He is facing separate charges on those alleged crimes.

“Today’s sentencing clearly reflects (Homeland Security’s) aggressive efforts to combat child exploitation in all forms,” said Special Agent in Charge Marlon Miller of the Department of Homeland Security’s Detroit Division. “Mazel’s capture and ultimate sentencing should send a strong message to child predators.”